Help fund Melanie Bush, Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Melanie Bush was diagnosed with Stage 4, grade 3, Neuroendocrine carcinoma. This is a very aggressive cancer. She first learned in September of 2020 there was a possibility of cancer after months of pain in the abdomen. On November 3rd. Mel had surgery on her stomach and the doctors removed multiple fist sized tumors in her abdomen and had a total hysterectomy plus they removed her Omentum. After a few miss diagnosis, the surgery, and months of testing, her doctor figured out she has a rare form of cancer. In January while visiting a specialist in Houston, Melanie found her cancer was also in her clavicle lymph nodes, liver, pancreases, and 3 spots in the bones and a spot on her mesentery . In April of 2021 while visiting a NET specialist in Arizona Melanie was told she could not be cured.
With this form of cancer you have to see a specialist and there are not that many in the US. Melanie has been to visit two NET specialists, one in Houston and one in Arizona. Both are MD Anderson. Both have been wonderful in treating her. Melanie has decided to set up care closer to home at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota as well so that she has a contact closer to home. She has an appointment scheduled for August 1st. Her Mayo doctor and her AZ doctor can work closely together to get the best care for her.
Melanie has had several rounds of intense chemotherapy and has recently added immunotherapy to her treatment. In May of 2021 the doctors said she cannot receive any more chemo at this time as the chemo was so intense they don’t want to damage her organs any more as she still has (hopefully) a long fight in front of her .
Melanie and her husband Clint have 4 children with the ages ranging 19, 17, 11 and 4. While Clint has excellent and very supportive employment with good insurance, along with having amazing family and friends to help support the challenging times with care for their house and children while seeking treatment, the travel expenses of fuel, food, and lodging alone have added up quickly on top of the medical expenses and time off work.
Financial contributions are very much appreciated if you can help. If you cannot help financially we ask that you please pray for Melanie and her family. May God be with them and carry them through this heavy trial.